House panel moves bill changing Alaska’s primary

Gov. Sean Parnell’s push to move up the data of Alaska’s primary elections has taken another step forward.

The House State Affairs Committee advanced a bill that would shift the date of the primary from the fourth Tuesday in August to the second Tuesday of August. HB104 would also move candidate’s withdrawal deadlines back in order to correspond with the new primary date.

Parnell proposed the bill in order to comply with federal law requiring that absentee voters in the military receive their ballots 45 days before a federal election.

The bill now moves to the House Judiciary Committee.

The House State Affairs Committee also moved HB10, which clarifies when state resources can be used to transport a spouse, child or dependent of the governor or lieutenant governor.

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About 360 North

360 North is Alaska’s public affairs channel. Part of the statewide offerings of Alaska public television, it is the most widely distributed television channel in Alaska offering a full-time schedule of Alaska programming, public affairs specials, documentaries, historical programs, Native interest shows and coverage of Alaska government.